Congratulations! You made it! You survived and excelled in your student teaching. You are now a science teacher! If you would, take a few minutes to share your wisdom about how to negotiate this difficult year with the students who are following in your footsteps by answering the following questions.
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
Absolutely, 100% try and be in your classroom AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!! Do not just "visit" and "watch" a few times throughout the semester. This will make students more comfortable and familiar with your presence in the classroom, thus making the "Who are you again?" questions less likely when you begin student teaching.
Also, speak with your CT about possibly watching 1 period and teaching the next and "mimicing" the piror lesson. This will not only give you experience but also a comfortability and fimliarity with the students and the setting around you. If your CT refuses this, then try and get involved as much as possible. Hand out papers, walk around for students needing extra help - DO NOT JUST SIT THERE AND WATCH!!!
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
Obviously classroom management is everyones biggest problem. Make sure to seat your students the way YOU want them. If it turns out you made a mistake a paired a chatty couple of kids, move them. Don't let a few chatty kids ruin the period for all the other students.
Be sure to design your inquiry and your activities according to your classes ability level. If you don't make it interesting enough for the CP kids they won't want to participate and if you don't make the material challenging enough for your Honors students, they won't take the material OR you seriuosly.
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have been better prepared for student teaching if I had ...."
Understood that students will take the smallest bit of leway you give them and run with it. If you are "soft" and allow students to talk/goof off during your classroom period it will NOT help you at all further down the road. Students will be constantly testing you to see what they can get away with and if you allow them too, they will continue fooling around. Put a stop to this IMMEDIATELY. Do not let it continue because if you try and stop it later on they won't take you seriously.
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
Don't be nervous, relax, your going to be fine. I am hoping you have chosen this profession for the "right reasons" and you really do care about the education of your students. As long as you enjoy your subject area and you enjoy your students, you will enjoy student teaching. It is a lot of work, but in the end its all worth it. Trust me, I'm a teacher!
a. What are some things students should do in their fall practicum to make their student teaching go more smoothly?
Absolutely, 100% try and be in your classroom AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!! Do not just "visit" and "watch" a few times throughout the semester. This will make students more comfortable and familiar with your presence in the classroom, thus making the "Who are you again?" questions less likely when you begin student teaching.
Also, speak with your CT about possibly watching 1 period and teaching the next and "mimicing" the piror lesson. This will not only give you experience but also a comfortability and fimliarity with the students and the setting around you. If your CT refuses this, then try and get involved as much as possible. Hand out papers, walk around for students needing extra help - DO NOT JUST SIT THERE AND WATCH!!!
b. What 430 topics/assignments should students make sure are addressed in detail to prepare them for student teaching?
Obviously classroom management is everyones biggest problem. Make sure to seat your students the way YOU want them. If it turns out you made a mistake a paired a chatty couple of kids, move them. Don't let a few chatty kids ruin the period for all the other students.
Be sure to design your inquiry and your activities according to your classes ability level. If you don't make it interesting enough for the CP kids they won't want to participate and if you don't make the material challenging enough for your Honors students, they won't take the material OR you seriuosly.
c. Help the next group of science education student teachers by completing the thought: "If I knew in September what I know now, I could have been better prepared for student teaching if I had ...."
Understood that students will take the smallest bit of leway you give them and run with it. If you are "soft" and allow students to talk/goof off during your classroom period it will NOT help you at all further down the road. Students will be constantly testing you to see what they can get away with and if you allow them too, they will continue fooling around. Put a stop to this IMMEDIATELY. Do not let it continue because if you try and stop it later on they won't take you seriously.
d. Are there other words of wisdom/encouragement that you want to share?
Don't be nervous, relax, your going to be fine. I am hoping you have chosen this profession for the "right reasons" and you really do care about the education of your students. As long as you enjoy your subject area and you enjoy your students, you will enjoy student teaching. It is a lot of work, but in the end its all worth it. Trust me, I'm a teacher!